Sheri was born in Winfield, Kansas on February 15, 1946, the second daughter of Marvin Gentzler and Ruby Weece Gentzler. She graduated from Winfield Junior/Senior High School and Southwestern College, both in Winfield, Kansas. Following graduation, Sheri taught English in Osawatomie, Kansas, from 1968 to 1974 when she went to Emporia State Teachers College where she earned an M.S. Degree in Counselor Education. Sheri came to Leavenworth as one of the first teachers at Project Stay, the Department of Alternative Education of Leavenworth High School. Her job as a teacher and later director of the alternative school gave her the opportunity to be a teacher, counselor, and friend to the diverse group of students she worked with from 1974 to 1981. She earned administrative certification from Kansas University in 1982. She next became Vice Principal of East Junior High until 1986 when she was named Principal there. In 2000 Sheri became the first Principal of Richard Warren Middle School until complications of Lymphodema and arthritis made it impossible for her to continue. Sheri greatly enjoyed her family and the opportunity to watch and be a part of the growth and development of the young people she worked with. Sheri enjoyed traveling with family and friends and writing about her job experiences. Sheri is survived by a nephew; Michael Hawkins and his wife Susan, their son Daniel and his wife Geri, nephew Ted Hawkins and his wife Daisy and their son Cameron, niece Katheryne Hawkins Doupe' and her husband Bill and their sons, Henry and Michael Doupe' all of Georgia. Sheri was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Donita Hawkins, brother in law Michael Hawkins, and grandparents Charles and Myrtle Weece and Henry and Katherine Gentzler. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday July 1, 2014 at Belden Larkin Funeral Home with Syvette Davis a former student who lives in North Carolina officiating the service. Friends and family are invited to visit with one another one hour prior to the service at the funeral home per Sheri's request. Burial will follow on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. at Highland City Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas A very special thank you to my Leavenworth Family Caretakers, Dawn and Rosi who

have taken on the role of immediate family during the past few years of ongoing decline. Memorials in her name may be directed to the Alliance Against Family Violence or Animal Welfare Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Condolences may be sent to www.beldenlarkin.com.